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“Oh, please. You saw me across the room and justhadto come across and introduce yourself?”

“Well…” For the first time ever, I’m at a loss for words.

She raises an eyebrow and rolls her hand as if urging me to say something.

“Go on then. What’s your best line?”

I cough, making her smirk.

The bartender drops his head, concentrating on the glass he’s been polishing repeatedly. When I look over, he moves to the far end of the bar.

I smile. “I don’t need lines.” Or at least I haven’t until now.

Usually, my face and name do the talking for me.

She looks me up and down before shaking her head, her lips tilting at the corners.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me? I just bet you have all the women falling at your feet.”

I stare at the woman beside me, my heart rate picking up. I haven’t felt this excited about meeting someone in a while.

“So if I were to try a chat up line on a stranger in a bar, where should I start?” I ask, turning my stool to face her before leaning an elbow against the bar.

She purses her lips and lets out a breath. “Now that would be telling,” she says.

“How about I start with, hi, I’m Cal,” I say, holding out my hand.

She glances down, her head inclining.

“April,” she says, placing her small, delicate hand in mine, giving my hand a single shake before letting go.

I lean forward before whispering so only she can hear. “Well, April, I’m pleased to meet you because I’m sure you’ll be invading my dreams. As a wine connoisseur, which I can assure you I am, I can only imagine you taste like afinewine…”

Her eyes widen at my words, her lips twisting as she tries hard to suppress her smile.

“Nothing about how I look?” she says, quirking one eyebrow.

“Now… I could say you lookbeautifulin that dress, but that’s not very original. I think I’ll go with your smile as my absolute favourite.”

Confusion crosses her brow, and I grin.

Realisation dawns, and I see her lips twitch at the corners.

“I knew it would be.”

I watch her eyes sparkle as she battles to contain the smile that threatens.

“Impossible,” she says, rolling her eyes before finally giving in. “Are you always this forward?”

Her smile steals my breath.

“Only when I’m in the company of a beautiful woman,” I tell her truthfully.

This earns me a groan.

“Too much?” I ask.

“Definitely.”